The aperture of this picture is 1.4
Why is so much of Katie's face in focus. Not just one eye or the other?

It is because I am standing back. Further back makes for deeper depth of field (dof)
Try it. You will see.


****


I finished reading The Princess Bride by William Goldman to Katie yesterday.
I read her the good parts version of the good parts version.
Yes, there was some skimming. William Goldman is a big tease and he loves to write something VERY dramatic (like someone dying or someone coming back to life) and then he whisks you away from that storyline onto something else. So we skimmed a lettle....

I have many emotional ties to this book.
Family ties.
Sister ties.
The tragic death of my parents is even tied to this book.

Because Life is Not Fair is the moral to this story.

And learning that lesson is something you don't forget. I really do wish life WAS fair.

"There's death coming up, and you better understand this: some of the wrong people die. Be ready for this....
the wrong people die, some of them, and the reason is this; life is not fair."


dan.

Still don't like it.
I know I am suppose to be above this. My faith tells me so.
But death still stings. A lot.

And that's just the cotton pickin' truth.


***

Then we watched the movie. The movie is so sweet and funny and Inigo's revenge is
just the best. (I'm not suppose to like revenge either.)

Katie was disturbed at first with all the missing parts...but I told her to just watch it and enjoy it for what it was....and she did.

The wedding ceremony is brilliant in the movie. Mawrige. Twu luv. wing.

"Man and Wife." say, "MAN AND WIFE!"


But the fake mustaches. come on. I know Mandy Patinkin can grow a mustache.
What was with that glued on thing? Yikes.

I also think the part where Westley is coming back to life is very nicely written.
(Did you know William Goldman wrote the screenplay? He is one witty dude.)

But while Westley was being a bobble-head outside the castle, he reminded me of someone I love....





Matthew!!

Isn't that something? Twins I tell ya :o)





I love Mandy Patinkin.
He is so passionate and has a gorgeous voice.


Encourage one another,
Donna


p.s. wisps does not have an 'h' but whisks does.
just thought you'd like to know.

Emma and I think there is some music that makes you think of traveling.
Perfect for looking out the window of a car or a plane.

Do you know what I mean?

There is just something about some songs.


And speaking of driving in cars.
I still like to pretend my hand is an airplane and make it go up and down in the wind like it's taking off.


And why is is that some people can drive in a convertible and their hair flies back all glamorous and perfect and mine
flies forward in a million wisps of hair and smacks me in the face.

Why?

It was a dark and stormy night....


um...





actually is was a bright and peaceful afternoon.
Katie and I had been working all day to clean and prepare for a dinner at our house with one of Patrick's co workers.
I grocery shopped in the morning. The corn looked terrible at the Target so I made a trip to a farm stand.
I picked out six ears right off the truck and hoped for the best. Corn is tricky. It's always good, actually, but to me it's weird that you can't see it. But that's just me, I guess.

So about 4:30 Katie and I went outside to shuck the corn.

It's a tedious job but I was actually enjoying quietly sitting with Katie.
The cicadas were quietly doing what ever they do to make that buzz.
A gentle breeze drifted past.
A fly went by.
;o)

Katie was struggling with the tassel strands.
She did not like that part of the job.
I showed her how you can hang the corn upside down to loosen the tassels a little
and gently pull it off like that. It leaves less to pick at.

I told her I would do it and she could tear off the big green leaves.

A few minutes later Katie got creeped out by a thumb full of mush.
What is this? she wondered.

I had a hunch.

I took the corn and peeled back the leaves.

There was a very healthy green worm eating away at the fresh corn.

"Look" I said and shoved the corn Katie's way.

The peaceful afternoon was shattered by a high and very loud scream!
Katie jumped up and ran to the far side of the yard where she proceeded to throw her arms in the air and panic.

And I, of course, laughed.
Really hard.

I threw that piece of corn away. I don't care if the worm was nibbling only on the end.
It's just creepy.


But the corn we did eat was
the most tender and sweetest of the season.

Worms know things.

A worm in your corn is probably a good sign.


Happy August!

Encourage one another,
Donna

"You is kind.....You is smart.....You is important."

Aibileen
The Help


****






I watched a video clip yesterday wherein the woman said that it is dehumanizing to photograph women this way:
Without faces showing and just focusing on one part of their body.

What do you think of that?





Do you know the real name for Queen Anne's Lace?



Encourage one another,
Donna

The Help and my little co-pilot.


The Help is a very good movie. It was touching and funny and sad.
The screen play was as full as it could be. I didn't want it to end.

I particularly like Minny, played by the talented Octavia Spencer. The Minny and Celia storyline was one of my
favorite parts of the book. It was very sweet to be sitting next to Katie who felt so strongly for Celia. Katie warmed up to Celia's color-blindness and loved her for it. Katie found a hero in Celia.

Sissy Spacek (while too young to play the part) was GREAT.

Ron Howard's daughter played Hilly. She was excellent at playing the villain.

Emma Stone (Skeeter) was terribly handicapped by the worst hair in the history of movies. (in my eyes)
I could not stop staring at her scalp. Her hair was matted at the scalp. I'm sure it was a wig.
A Irish Dancing wig. blech.

The movie was a touch 'light' for the subject.
When Minnie is hit we do not see it.
A short jail scene is even happy and gay.

I am sure these things were not meant to be trivialized...
but I felt the were not weighted properly.


The book is better. I loved the book.
I haven't read a book I liked better in years.

But go see the movie. It's a really good movie and hopefully it will be nominated for some awards come Oscar time.

Just not hair and makeup.



******

“Life's better with company. Everybody needs a co-pilot.”
~up in the air















Thankful for mine.




Encourage one another,
Donna

if I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own back yard.
Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with!






No photoshop monkey shines here...her eyes are really that pretty blue.



Oh my, this dog was not listening to my friend Karen...it was so funny.
But when her son came out he took over and knew how to wrangle the dog.
And I was SO excited I had my aperture on the right setting to get both E. and the dog in focus.
I had an angel on my shoulder for this one.






Glasses.
No Glasses.

It's hard to decide. So cute. Both ways :o)



E. and her french horn make a beautiful pair.




FAB posture!!! I need to take a lesson.




A quick snapshot with her dad.
I adore.


Here is a funny out take...




Thank you. Karen, for choosing me to take your sweet girl's pictures.
They have a special place in my heart.
As do you.


****

Happy Weekend!
We are going to see The Help this morning.
So excited.


Love ya lots,
Donna

I find the cutest things on Pinterest.






If you haven't been on a ride lately, I'll fill you in.
Camera's are set up to take thrilling pictures of every car that goes by on the ride.
When you exit the ride you can see your picture...to see how you looked at that scary moment.

Isn't this so clever?


My Pinterest


***

And look at this fabric!!!

I have no idea what I would make with it, but it makes me super happy to look at it.
It is called Happy Summer and Happy Camping.








Etsy Shop with this fabric

****





I had a really wonderful senior photo shoot yesterday.
We were just going for the simple head shots, really. Nothing corny or foofoo....

And well....

the brother was there....and the daddy was there....and the dog was there....

and we got pictures of everyone...

Really cute pictures, if you ask me :o)

I'm waiting for the okay to show more pictures.

You will just have to enjoy that scrumptious french horn bokeh for now :o)



Happy Friday!


Do you play an instrument?
Do you know what to make with that cute fabric?
Do you watch Dance Moms?


Encourage one another,
Donna

D80
2008



2008.

We were dropping Emma off at college. I didn't know at the time what this face meant.
This sad face. I know now what was behind those eyes.
It will be our secret.


2008

hello honey



*****


Bri guessed the name of the yarn correctly; Truffles

Very good guess Bri!


****

I was terribly disappointed with the finale of So you think you can dance.

Let's look back at a really great routine, shall we.

Billy Bell and Lauren.
Boogie Shoes!!!
2010


Won't let me embed...sorry...click over for some happy dancing!!!

Click Here!


And on the subject of Disco....

My favorite movie soundtrack of all time is

Saturday Night Fever.



Do you have one?


Encourage one another,
Donna


p.s. if you think those fruity Tootsie Rolls are weird. My dad always came home with Circus Peanuts!

I read a tremendous article this morning on living ....

Everyday lives of love and justice

I think you will love this article.
I did.


The Just Life.Org


"God enables us, through Christ, to enter into the injustices we are presented with, but we forget that. We fail to remember that Jesus is still at work today and is beckoning us to join him. All God asks is that we bring to Him whatever position, possession, or potential that He has already blessed us with. He compensates for everything we need, and as we wade in, He works in us and through us. Only incarnate ministry develops this kind of opportunity. Only there do we change. As we give ourselves fully to the incarnate work of Jesus we participate in, experience, and advance the presence of the Kingdom. Every day."

~Brian Kammerzelt




******







*****

The yarn. I forgot to tell you about the scarf pattern and the number of stitches.


I will cast on six hundred and forty eight stitches.



The yarn is Claudia Hand Painted.
(I thought it was Koigu until this morning.)


Guess the name of the yarn....
What do you think it is called?
What would you name it?

The pattern is by Churchmouse Classics and it is called Barb's Koigu Ruffle.


I haven't cast on yet....but I will let you know how that goes.


Have a lovely day!

Encourage one another,
Donna

I am not a big shopper. I go shopping when I am desperate or when I am being a nice mom or wife.
Patrick needed Starlight mints and the best ones he has found...any where in the world is the Farm and Fleet in our town.
And I am not kidding about anywhere in the world. We used to buy them on the Internet from Brach's and then Brach's changed distributors and starting getting new and icky Starlight mints so Patrick had find some he liked and fortunately he found them locally.

So I picked up the mints and grabbed a bag of those fruity flavored Tootsie Rolls. Those are weird, aren't they?
But I like em.

So while we were there we decided to walk over to the clothing section. I thought they might have winter coats for Katie to match the mittens I am knitting her but I couldn't find a thing.

What I did notice is that heavy women are doomed.
Oh my word, the clothes were hideous.

For some reason the designers think heavy women want ugly fabrics, HUGE splashes of paint like splotches and jewels around the neckline. They are AWFUL. And it's not just Farm and Fleet, it's just about everywhere. But Farm and Fleet wins.

So you can imagine my surprise when I walked past this pretty colored hat.

I think I bought it partly as a way to encourage the buyers of the store.

This. is. cute. I will buy this wonderfully colored Carhart hat.

Get more stuff like this.

Thanks!





And that's the truth.



Encourage one another,
Donna

I wonder how tall she will be...
She seems to be all arms and legs and fingers lately.




***


I caught the end of this movie over the weekend. I heard this song in the background and figured out who was singing it.
It's by Cat Powers.




And this song, by Amiee Mann plays in the background of Picture Perfect. (Amateur)


Wouldn't it be cool to pick the muisc for movies. I would love that job.
And I want to do it for Nancy Meyers movies.

There. It's out there in the universe.

What is your dream job?


Donna

This is a very cool song...James Morrison has a nice voice.
It's a little sad and I am not feeling sad...but I loves it anyway.






****




Another image from the workshop in Chicago. Emma took this one and I loved the shadows and the fact that almost all the attendees are present in the image.


We are dashing off to the farmers market now.

We need Patrick's favorite chocolate chip cookies and tomatoes for me.

Have a fantastic weekend!!!


I thought of something kind of funny this morning....
I told Patrick that the Earth is having a hot flash this summer.

I shall patiently await it's passing.


Encourage one another,
Donna

What a whirlwind that was!!

At one point Emma said to me, "Are we going to sit in this Starbucks all afternoon."
And I thought, sounds pretty good to me.

It was one of those days when you pull in the driveway and think to yourself,
The start of this day seems miles away....

ha...

and well...it was miles in a way.


Since Emma and I missed the first day of the workshop, I gave Emma a refresher on how to shoot in manual.

She catches on quickly.








At the workshop we worked on portrait shooting, action shooting, landscape and night time shooting.

I learned some good composition rules for the portrait portion.
I learned that action shooting is a whole different thing...and I need to practice...a lot.
For landscape I learned that I'm pretty picky about what I want to shoot and you have to be patient since the park is not your
private studio.
Brian shared his method for his beautiful night time shots. I was very interested to hear his explanation about the longer exposures creating beautiful colors and 'special effects.'
(He also always tries to shoot on the lowest ISO. I usually hover at 400 and he loves to shoot at 100. This was news to me and I am going to experiment with that.)

And it was really cool to hear that he has been working on capturing some very special shots for many, many years.

In this world of 'right now'...he emphasised the beautiful and difficult component...patience.














I wasn't able to duplicate Brian's settings, but I fiddled with my iso and aperture until I got something that looked okay.
It was blurry due to hand shake so I threw it in Photoshop and made it a watercolor with the Artistic Filter.


It was a long and very full day...
and now it's time to get my Iced Chai Latte.


Wishing you a wonderful Friday...


A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains. ~Dutch Proverb


Patience: A minor form of despair disguised as a virtue. ~Ambrose Bierce


haha...despair...


Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson


Encourage one another,
Donna

That Seventies Salad




aka Seven Layer Salad :o)


This is how I make it...

Layer in this order

Sliced lettuce. I know that's weird. But I like cutting lettuce with a knife.
Mild onion
celery
frozen peas
Hellman's Mayonaise
sugar
parmesan cheese
cheddar cheese

I don't like green peppers and was tired of bacon....eating it AND cooking it after making the carbonara the other night...

So that's it. I have made this salad for some family dinners and everyone loved it!
I was kind of shocked. But happy.

I'm bringing back the Seven Layer Salad. Like it or not!





Meet Kathyb's lovely daughter Allison. I made her model this ruffly scarf for me! I have eyed this pattern numerous times and finally yesterday I bought it. Wait until you see the yarn I bought. I think it's going to be gorgeous.
(By the way, Al looks way to beautiful to have worked all night and jumped in the car with her mom!! Thank you both so much for coming and for being my real life friends :o)

This pattern has an unbelieveable number of stitches to cast on....

Care to guess?


Now Katie and I are off to Chicago...again!

Emma and I are taking a photography workshop tonight and then coming right home.
Looking forward to a wonderful and full day!


"Fairest of the months!
Ripe summer's queen
The hey-day of the year
With robes that gleam with sunny sheen
Sweet August doth appear."
- R. Combe Miller



Encourage one another,
Donna

On Friday night, we drove straight from Wisconsin to a Triple A baseball game in Omaha to meet Matthew, Melinda, Asher and Melinda's family.
They had tickets to a game and when you invite yourself to come and visit...you never know what you're gonna get.




Melinda's dad spotted us sitting in our seats and walked right over and handed Asher to Katie and me.

He looked like this most of the night.





By Sunday, he was feeling a little better about us.







Last night was Katie's end of season party for softball.
I helped set up. That was my job.

I have never sweat so in my life. Yow-za!!!

I sent Katie over to the party by herself to celebrate with her team mates.
Actually I drove her over and dropped her off at the softball diamonds.

Patrick went to hang out with her a little bit at 6:30 and 7:30. He told me that Katie spent her money on a few small raffles.

This is the text I got from him.


Patrick: Katie is learning that you don't win raffles.
Me: :o(
Patrick: She stands right in front...waiting to win.
Me: That girl could break your heart.


Fortunately she got over that disappointment very quickly.

Quicker than I did, I think.


She had a fun night with her team mates.


We are going to have a fabulously fun day today.
My Internet friend who is now my real life friend, kathyb is coming to visit.
She and her daughter are coming up from Chicago for the day!

Can't wait!

She told me I am not allowed to dust.

But she didn't say anything about doing the dishes and sweeping the floor :op


Better get going!

Have a super day!

Love
Donna

Clickers, mouses, wii controllers, phones and ipads.
These are the coolest things in the world.

One word. Imitation.

One thought. Wow.







It is not a completely new phenomenon :o)





Love









I love this picture.



Such a great visit in Omaha.
Asher is still not 100%. His nose is running and eyes are red and swollen. He has a little cough.
We kissed him a lot and taught him to clap his hands.

Everybody clap your hands xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It was wonderful just to be with Matthew and Melinda and Asher....
Thank you for being so welcoming!


Melinda made a delicious dinner on Sunday night.

Pastor Ryan's Pasta Carbonara.

Here is the recipe Melinda uses!


Pasta Carbonara


Happy August!!!
Hot enough for ya?

Sheesh!

Donna